Ivy League Mentors Presents

Essential Vocab
for the
Digital SAT
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 Introduction
This is not intended to be a list of hard words. It's a list of words that come up often on the test.
Because these words are common, you may know most of them already. However, I have
included them here because, in my many years of teaching, I have encountered intelligent
students who haven't known them and have lost points on the test as a result. Do you want to
lose points on the test too? Then make sure that you know them all by test day!

P.S. I’ve heard students tell me that these definitions look strange. Isn’t a “cause” something that
makes something happen? Well, yes, of course it can be. Then why is “cause” defined here as a
principle, goal, or movement that one is prepared to defend or advocate? Because that’s what it
meant when it came up on the test. The truth is that most words have more than one definition.
The objective of this list is to familiarize you with usages that are most likely to appear on the
test rather than to provide a comprehensive explanation of all the ways a particular word can be
used. In some cases, the most common usages on the test are not the usages you are most
likely to encounter in normal life. In fact, the College Board likes to use secondary meanings of
everyday words to force students to pay attention to context. When the definition provided is not
the most commonly used definition, it has been indicated with an asterisk (*), so pay close
attention to these words.

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 The List
Abolish (v): To put an end to a system, practice, or institution. This word is used most often in the context
of slavery, but may be applied to other situations too. Reformers like Frederick Douglass and William
Lloyd Garrison dedicated their lives to abolishing slavery. Related words: abolition (n): the act of
abolishing something; abolitionist (n): someone involved in the abolition movement.

Advocate (v): To publicly recommend or support. The author advocated for greater freedom of press.
Related words: advocate (n): a supporter or promoter of something.

Ambivalent (adj): Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. Due to the
excitement about productivity increases, as well as fears of human job loss, many are ambivalent about
AI. Related words: ambivalence (n): the state of being ambivalent.

Analogous (adj): similar, comparable in certain respects. The events of Orwell’s Animal Farm are
analogous to those of the Russian Revolution. Related words: analogy (n): a comparison, typically for the
purpose of explanation or illustration.

Anecdote (n): a brief story, often one of a personal or informal nature. The speaker used an anecdote
about her childhood to connect with the audience.

Anticipate (v): to predict or expect. The effect was stronger than the researchers had anticipated.
Related words: anticipation (n): the state of anticipating something.

Apprehend (n): to understand or comprehend. Do not confuse this word with apprehensive. She couldn’t
apprehend how someone could believe such an obvious lie.

Apprehensive (adj): concerned, anxious. Many students feel apprehensive about the SAT.

Ascribe (v): to attribute something (to a cause). Many historians ascribe the downfall of the Ottoman
Empire to a combination of internal strife and external invasions.

Assertion (n): a confident and forceful claim. The speaker’s assertion that we need stricter gun control
was met by applause. Related words: assert (v): to make an assertion.

Attribute (v): to regard something as being caused by (someone or something). The app’s popularity has
been attributed to its ease of use and powerful editing features.

Bias (n): prejudice in favor of or against a thing, person, or group, usually in a way considered to be
unfair. Some have accused top universities of having a bias against Asian students. Related words:
biased (adj): the state of having bias.

Bolster (v): to strengthen or provide support. The author bolsters her argument with demographic data
drawn from twelve countries over a period of three decades.

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*Cause (n): a principal, goal, or movement that one is prepared to defend or advocate. She devoted her
life to the cause of deaf people.

*Challenge (v): to dispute the truth or validity of something. The author challenged the assumption that
early humans evolved exclusively in Africa.

Comparable (adj): similar. Medieval Japan was comparable to Europe in that both had a hierarchical
feudal system.

Compelling (adj): convincing or persuasive. The new discovery provides compelling evidence that the
early settlers of North America arrived via a land bridge from Asia. Related words: compel (v): to force or
oblige.

Comprehensive (adj): complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something. Nathan has
provided hundreds of students with comprehensive support on their college applications.

*Compromise (v): to weaken or undermine. The lack of a strong federal government compromised the
power of the United States under the Articles of the Confederation.

Concede (v): to admit that something is true or valid, especially an opposing argument or counterpoint.
The noun form is concession. The author conceded that genetically modified foods are probably no more
dangerous than organic foods.

Conclusive (adj): decisive or convincing; serving to prove a case. Though scientists believe that the
moon was formed by fragments of the earth dislodged in a collision, the evidence remains inconclusive.
Related terms: inconclusive (adj): not conclusive.

Concur (v): to agree. The two research teams concurred that the settlement was most likely occupied in
the late 1500s.

Condemn (v): to express complete disapproval of something, typically in public. The candidate
condemned her opponent as racist and sexist. Related words: condemnation (n): strong disapproval or
criticism of something.

Conform (v): to match or follow, generally to rules, conventions, or expectations. The results did not
conform to his expectations. Related terms: conformity (n): a state of matching or following others.

Consensus (n): a state of agreement. The consensus among modern paleontologists is that birds are
descendants of dinosaurs.

Contend (v): to assert. Feldman contends that the findings are consistent with his theory. Related words:
contention (n): an assertion.

Control (n): an element that remains unchanged and is used as a benchmark or a point of comparison in
an experiment. The plants in the one group were exposed to mites, while those in the control group were
not.

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Conventional (adj): common or traditional. The conventional view that Columbus was the first European
to set foot in the New World was debunked by the discovery of Viking artifacts in Canada. Related words:
convention (n): a tradition or common way of doing things.

Corroborate (v): to confirm or give support. His students’ high test results corroborated Nathan’s
assertion that he is the best teacher ever.

Counterclaim (n): a claim that goes against the main claim or argument. His argument about the
efficiency of nuclear power was met with a counterclaim about concerns regarding its safety.

Deceptive (adj): Dishonest or misleading. The argument that illegal immigrants steal jobs is deceptive; in
fact, the majority of illegal immigrants take low-paying and dangerous jobs that citizens don’t want.
Related words: deceive (v): to lie or mislead.

Decisive (adj): conclusive or final; settling an issue. Decisive evidence has emerged, ending the debate
about the origins of the fossil.

Degrade (v): to deteriorate, weaken, or lower in dignity. Government corruption degrades our democracy.

Denounce (v): to publicly declare to be wrong or bad. Sanders denounced the U.S. military's use of
chemical weapons on children in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Despondent (adj): depressed, sad, in low spirits. After she failed to get into Brown, Sara was
despondent.

Detrimental (adj): harmful. Excessive smartphone usage is detrimental to sleep.

Discern (v): to perceive, notice, or distinguish between things. Only experts are able to discern the
difference between a genuine Vermeer and works by his apprentices. Related words: discernable (adj):
able to be perceived.

Discredit (v): to prove false; to damage the reputation of someone or something. The author aimed to
discredit the theory that the manuscript was written by Ortega.

Disdain (n): contempt or strong disapproval. In Guernica, Picasso expressed disdain for the violence of
the Franco Regime.

*Dismiss (v): to ignore or reject, often without serious consideration. The press dismissed the president’s
claims of voter fraud. Related words: dismissal (n): the act of dismissing.

Disparage (v): to regard as being of little worth or inferior. Nathan disparaged the SAT textbook, which
was full of mistakes and bad advice.

Disparate (adj): different or distinct. The group consisted of individuals from disparate backgrounds, each
bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the discussion.

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Distinction (n): a difference or contrast between similar things or people. Many people are unaware of
the important distinctions between alligators and crocodiles. Related terms: distinguish (v): to notice
distinctions; distinct (adj) the state of being different or having distinctions

*Elaborate (v): to develop or present in detail. The author elaborated on the proposal in her manifesto.

*Employ (v): to use. The researchers employed an innovative technique to track the migrations of
monarch butterflies.

Enfranchise (v): to give the right to vote. The 15th Amendment enfranchised black Americans.

Entrenched (adj): firmly established; difficult or unlikely to change. The notion that some races were
naturally inferior was deeply entrenched in 19th century society. Related terms: disenfranchised (adj):
lacking the right to vote.

Enumerate (v): to list or mention one by one. The author enumerated the benefits of autonomous
vehicles.

Explicit (adj): stated clearly and directly. The journalist’s criticism of the president was implicit rather than
explicit: the president’s name was not even mentioned in the article, but it was not difficult to read
between the lines.

Fabricate (v): to invent or make up, often in a dishonest way. The defendant fabricated an excuse.

Facilitate (v): to cause, encourage, or make easier. The internet has facilitated communication between
diverse populations.

Feasible (adj): possible to do easily or without an unreasonable amount of effort. Nathan’s students
complained that it wasn’t feasible to learn every term on this list.

Fluctuate (v): to rise and fall or change, usually irregularly or unpredictably. My score on the practice
tests fluctuates from day to day.

*Former (n): The first item in a list of two. There is a difference between lying and failing to disclose the
full truth. The former is punishable by impeachment, while the second is merely frowned upon.

Foster (v): to encourage or promote the development (of something). It has been argued that free trade
fosters peace, as countries with a mutually-beneficial trading relationship are less likely to attack one
another.

Frank (adj): honest, direct, and blunt. The doctor gave a frank assessment and did not attempt to hide the
seriousness of her patient's condition.

Fundamental (adj): basic or essential. The fundamental structure of the human brain is similar to that of
other primates.

Idealistic (adj): involving noble or high-minded principles, but often not practical or realistic. The notion
that most billionaires will use their wealth and power to benefit society was mocked as idealistic. Related

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terms: idealist (n): someone with idealistic views; ideal (n): a noble or high-minded principle, generally
one regarding how things should be; ideal (adj): as good as possible.

Impartial (adj): unbiased; fair. A judge should remain impartial in his or her decisions.

Impede (v): to block, hinder, or restrain. The heavy traffic on the highway impeded our progress and
caused a significant delay in reaching our destination.

Implicit (adj): not stated clearly and directly; implied. The journalist’s criticism of the president was implicit
rather than explicit: the president’s name was not even mentioned in the article, but it was not difficult to
read between the lines.

Indifference (n): a lack of interest, opinion, or concern. Martin Luther King Jr. maintained that we should
never regard the suffering of others with indifference. Related words: indifferent (adj): characterized by
indifference.

Indignation (n): anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. The separation
of migrant children from their parents under the Trump regime was met with indignation by human rights
organizations. Related words: indignant (adj): having indignation.

Infallible (adj): incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. The renowned mathematician was known
for his infallible calculations, as he never made errors in his complex equations.

Inhibit (v): to hinder, restrain, or prevent. Cold inhibits plant growth. Related words: inhibition: restraint,
prevention, or hesitancy.

Innate (adj): inborn; arising naturally. Humans possess an innate propensity for music.

Interchangeable (adj): capable of being exchanged or substituted, often due to their similarities. The
interchangeable parts in the machine allowed for easy replacement and maintenance.

Intricate (adj): highly complicated or detailed. The artist's masterpiece was a painting filled with intricate
details, showcasing his exceptional skill and attention to every delicate element.

Irreconcilable (adj): unable to coexist; unable to be resolved. The notion of time travel is irreconcilable
with our current laws of physics. Related words: reconcile (v): to reach a compromise or a solution to an
apparent paradox.

Ironic (adj): contrary or opposite to expectations. It’s ironic that so many farmers support barriers to free
trade, given that such barriers cost thim billions in lost revenue. Related words: irony (n): the state of
being ironic.

Ivy League Mentors (n): A useful resource for students. This one won’t appear on the test, but it will help
you do better! Nathan Greenberg founded Ivy League Mentors to share his experience with students all
around the world.

Latter (n): The first item in a list of two. There is a difference between lying and failing to disclose the full
truth. The former is punishable by impeachment, while the second is merely frowned upon.

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Lucrative (adj): profitable. For those who amass millions of followers, posting content on social media
platforms like YouTube and TikTok can be very lucrative.

*Maintain (v): to assert. The senator maintains that legalization of recreational drugs will increase tax
revenue.

Mar (v): to spoil or damage, and thus render less perfect. Her happiness was marred by regret.

Mimic (v): to imitate or copy the actions, speech, or appearance of someone or something. The talented
comedian could mimic the voices of various celebrities, leaving the audience in stitches with his uncanny
impersonations.

Misconception (n): an incorrect belief or attitude. It is a misconception that Columbus was the first
European to reach the Americas. In fact, the Vikings reached North America hundreds of years before
him.

Mitigate (v): to make less severe, serious, or painful. The recession was mitigated by government
policies to assist poor families.

*Novel (n): new or innovative. The researchers used a novel approach to extract the genome.

Obsolete (adj): no longer useful. The advent of the computer made the typewriter obsolete.

Objective (adj): based on pure facts rather than on personal opinions or feelings. It is difficult to be
objective when evaluating art: a work of art that one person finds beautiful, another person might find
hideous.

Optimism (n): the belief or expectation that an outcome will be positive, favorable, or desirable. Sara
expressed optimism about her score on the SAT, saying that she expected to achieve her target score.
Related words: optimistic (adj): characterized by optimism.

Outspoken (adj): frank in stating one's opinions, especially if they are critical or controversial. The
reporter was outspoken in her criticism of the president.

Overlook (v): to ignore or not pay attention (to something). Johnson overlooked a key factor in his
analysis of the situation.

Paucity (n): a lack or deficiency. It can be difficult to learn about prehistoric cultures due to the paucity of
surviving evidence.

Persist (v): to continue to exist; to continue to do something. Though she took the medication, her
symptoms persisted.

Pervasive (adj): widespread or common, often in a negative context. Cheating has become more
pervasive since the development of Chat GPT.

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Pessimism (n): the belief or expectation that an outcome will not be positive, favorable, or desirable.
Sara expressed pessimism about her score on the SAT, saying that she expected to fail. Related words:
pessimistic (adj): characterized by pessimism.

Pragmatic (adj): dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather
than theoretical considerations. Although it would be great to completely eliminate world hunger, we need
to be pragmatic and focus on the areas in which we can make the greatest impact.

Precede (v): to come before in time. Many speculate that the decline of the Aztec Empire preceded the
arrival of the Spanish.

Presume (adj): suppose that something is the case, generally because it is probable. I presume that my
sister will arrive late because she often runs behind schedule.

*Profess (v): to claim that one has (a quality or feeling), especially when this is not the case. Despite
professing that he was not racist, the governor advocated for voting restrictions that systematically
disenfranchised black voters.

Profound (adj): deep or intense. Hemingway's experience in WWI had a profound impact on his writing.

Pronounced (adj): very noticeable or marked; conspicuous. There has been a pronounced increase in
gun violence in recent decades.

Proponent (n): a person who supports or advocates for a particular idea, cause, or theory. The
environmentalist was a passionate proponent of renewable energy, tirelessly advocating for its adoption
to combat climate change.

Prudence (n): wisdom or consideration for the consequences of one’s action. Jay showed great prudence
in refraining from making an offensive post on Instagram. Related words: prudent (adj): characterized by
prudence.

*Qualify (v): to make (a statement or argument) less absolute or extreme; to acknowledge nuances or
other perspectives). The doctor qualified her endorsement of the allergy medication by acknowledging
that it caused side effects in some patients. Related words: qualification (n): something that qualifies.

Recall (v): to remember or evoke. In the memoir, the author recalled a childhood encounter with her
grandmother.

Refrain (v): to stop oneself from doing something. Though he was on a diet, Tom couldn't refrain from
eating another piece of cake.

Refute (v): to prove false. The theory that Mars lacks water was refuted by findings from the new mission,
which provided strong evidence of a subglacial lake.

*Relate (v): to tell a story or give an account. The author related an anecdote about her experiences in
South Africa.

Reluctant (adj): hesitant or unwilling to do something. Many people are reluctant to try new foods.

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Repudiate (adj): to reject or renounce. The minister repudiated policies associated with previous party
leaders and steered the nation in a new direction.

*Reservations (n): hesitance or doubt about the appropriateness of an action. Note, in this usage, the
word is always plural. Some generals voiced reservations about making air strikes on civilian
neighborhoods.

*Resignation (n): the acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable. He expressed resignation
about his loss in the upcoming election. Related words: resign (v): to accept something undesirable but
inevitable.

Revere (v): to deeply respect or idolize. Though condemned by the elite, Andrew Jackson was revered by
uneducated farmers.

Scrutinize (v): to examine carefully and critically, often in search of flaws. The investigator scrutinized the
suspects tax records, but could find no proof of criminal activity. Related words: scrutiny (n): careful and
critical examination.

Skepticism (n): doubt or disbelief. Given the preponderance of fake news, it is good to view shocking
headlines with a degree of skepticism. Related words: skeptical (adj): having doubt or disbelief; skeptic
(n): one who is skeptical.

Speculate (v): to make a guess or prediction. Yang speculates that in the future, AI will render human
labor obsolete. Related words: speculation (n): guessing or prediction.

Status quo (n): the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues. Southern
politicians argued that desegregation would threaten the status quo and lead to chaos.

Subjective (adj): based on personal opinions or feelings rather than on pure facts. Art is mostly
subjective: a work of art that one person finds beautiful, another person might find hideous.

Substantial (adj): large or significant. The impact of burning fossil fuels on the climate is substantial.

Suffrage (n): the right to vote. Many feel that suffrage should be extended to sixteen-year-olds.

Substantiate (v): to support, often with evidence. Katz offered no evidence to substantiate his claim.
Related words: substantiated (adj): supported by evidence.

Tedious (adj): tiresome, boring, or monotonous due to being repetitive or lengthy. The data entry task
was incredibly tedious, requiring hours of mind-numbingly repetitive work.

Tentative (adj): uncertain, unconfirmed, or temporary. Until more studies can be conducted, the findings
are only tentative.

Undermine (v): to weaken or go against something, such as an argument or theory. The new evidence
undermined traditional assumptions about language acquisition.

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Underscore (v): to emphasize. The author underscored the need for bipartisanship.

Unfounded (adj): having no basis in fact; unsupported by reason or logic. The beliefs of flat-earthers are
completely unfounded.

Universal (adj): existing everywhere or applying to all. Some believe that the government should provide
universal healthcare to its citizens.

Validate (v): to prove or confirm. The results of the experiment validated the researcher’s hypothesis.

Verify (v): to prove or determine something is true. His conclusions have been verified by further
experiments.

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